Book Review: To Have And To Hold

Author: Lauren Layne
Title: To Have and To Hold
Publisher: Pocket Books
Publish Date: July 26, 2016
Buy: Amazon
Review Copy Provided By: Net Galley
Book Blurb:  Discovering her fiancé is an international con man just moments before they exchange vows devastates celebrity wedding planner Brooke Baldwin’s business—and breaks her heart. Now a pariah in Los Angeles, she seeks a fresh start in New York City and thinks she’s found it with her first bridal client, a sweet—if slightly spoiled—hotel heiress. Then she meets the uptight businessman who’s holding the purse strings.

Seth Tyler wishes he could write a blank check and be done with his sister Maya's fancy-pants wedding. Unfortunately, micromanaging the event is his only chance at proving Maya’s fiancé is a liar. Standing directly in his way is the stunning blonde wedding planner whose practiced smiles and sassy comebacks both irritate and arouse him. He needs Brooke’s help. But can he persuade a wedding planner on a comeback mission to unplan a wedding? And more importantly, how will he convince her that the wedding she should be planning…is theirs?

Review: I really wanted to love this book. I heard good things about the author so I decided to give it a go.

It didn't work for me at all.

I slogged through this book.

I don't know if I'm losing my taste for romance or what but this book annoyed me.

The hero and heroine both had issues. Seth is super controlling and Brooke, well I found her to be stupid, especially when it came to what Seth was saying about his sister's fiance. The Maya and Neil relationship was probably the only reason that I finished this book. I wanted to find out what was up with the guy, because you knew he wasn't going to be the one for Maya.

In fact, that particular story line felt like something I had read before.

I also couldn't understand why there was such a huge deal made about Seth having the guy investigated. I felt a little less so when he investigated Clay, because his relationship with her was rather rocky, but his sister? To me that sounded like something any loving, wealthy brother would do when his sister seemed to be making a huge mistake.

The other thing that really bothered me was the lack of any real reason for a relationship between Brooke and Seth. They don't have anything in common at all. I never quite get it when characters have nothing to go on. I'm sorry if only gorgeous people hook up, no one would ever get married.

I think I'm going to stick by my standbys when it comes to romance or maybe just give up on this genre for awhile.

Tasty Virtual Book Tour Book Review: Just One Night

JUST ONE NIGHT: Sex, Love and Stiletto Series
Written by Lauren Layne
Published by Loveswept
ISBN: 978-0-34554727-9
On sale: April 22nd, 2014

Blurb

New York’s hottest “sexpert” has been living a lie—and it’s up to one man to keep her honest . . . all night long.

Riley McKenna knows sex – good sex, bad sex, kinky sex…Her articles in Stiletto magazine are consistently the publication’s most scandalous—and the most read. But Riley has a secret…all that sexy talk? Not an ounce of it comes from personal experience. Her own bedroom escapades are more limited than even her best friends know. When her editor requests that all columnists write something more personal for Stiletto’s anniversary issue, Riley turns to the one man she’s always been able to count on and calls in the favor of a lifetime.

Sam Compton would do anything for Riley McKenna. Anything except be her experimental sex toy. He refuses her request. At least until she tells him that it’ll either be him or she’ll go to someone else. And that, Sam can’t accept. Reluctantly he agrees to her terms—one night of completely meaningless sex in the name of research. Riley thinks she’s prepared for what awaits her in Sam’s bed.  After ten years of writing about sex, actually doing it shouldn’t be that different, right? So wrong. What starts as “one time only” becomes “just one more time.” And then one more. And before they know it, Riley and Sam learn first-hand that when it comes to love, there’s no such thing as just one night.

Buy Links

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Just-One-Night-Stiletto-Series-ebook/dp/B00F8F3JZK

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/just-one-night-lauren-layne/1116911372?ean=9780345547279

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/just-one-night/id725293406?mt=11

Link to Follow Tour: http://tastybooktours.blogspot.com/2013/10/now-booking-tasty-virtual-book-tour-for_29.html

Review: I was really surprised at how sweet this story was, considering Riley writes a sexy column for the magazine, Stiletto. This book was a sweet romance with a sexy twist.

I was really expecting some hot steamy sex, but most was left to the imagination, but actually, I was all right with that.

You have to read this book like it is a modern day fairytale of sorts, after all, how many 27 year old almost virgins are there? Riley, just couldn't find a guy to live up to Sam. It would be a little more believable if she were more girl next door, than sexy vamp. But hey, you got to love her, even if you don't understand her.

For example, the book opens with her on a date with Mr. Not So Right. When he gets all prissy and she still intends to go home with him...well, I wanted to smack her. This guy was a loser.

Riley is such a strong character, especially when you compare her to Sam. I loved Sam, he was a total hunk and a sweetie, but dude let a lot of people walk all over him, especially his mother! And he had such guilt about it. I wanted to hug him and punch her most of the time. Oh and any guy that drops a job in finance to buy a distillery is awesome in my book!

Best Scene: When Riley and Sam get puppies!!

I was surprised how long it took for these two to get together, but they were really perfect. A fun read, if not as spicy as I expected.

Rating: 5 flowers

Author Info

Lauren Layne graduated from Santa Clara University with a B.S. in political science that she has yet to put to good use. After dabbling in an e-commerce career in Seattle and Southern California, Layne moved to New York City, where she now writes full-time. She lives with her husband and their plus-size pomeranian in a tiny Manhattan studio.

Connect with Lauren: Facebook | Twitter | Website

Author links

http://laurenlayne.com/

https://www.facebook.com/LaurenLayneAuthor

https://twitter.com/_LaurenLayne

Rafflecopter Giveaway (Lauren Layne Prize Pack with: Review Copies of Stiletto Series, Loveswept Tote and Mug or $15.00 E-Retailer Gift Card of Winner’s Choosing )

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